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THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1851.
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ENLARGEIEHT OF THE NATIONAL IRSTRUGTOB.
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$ur WiMWty fflixtw*
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Ad
2 Jo . XU . of the Sow Series < OP " TE NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR " Is now ready . 6 KTEEN LARGE BOTAL 0 CTA 70 PA 6 ES , Price One Penny . IT B THE ADVOCATE OF POLITICAL , SOCIAL . AND INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS II COKIA 1 SS A WEEKLY IiAKOUK REi'OKD . Ihe Autobiography of Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P :, Original Articles on Social and Political Questions . Tales : Beviews : Poetry : Gleanings , &c . Contents of No . XI !• 1 . The History of Humpty Dumpty after his o The s ' tudeDt of St . Petersburg . ( Conanuetf . ) 3 Foundation of the State of Utah or Deseret , by lhe Mormons . 4 . Adventures of Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P . 5 . Sew Books . -Madame Dorriofiton of the Dene : the Story of a Life ; and Political aad Class Bigotry . m 6 Labonr and Co-operative Kecord . 7 * Toetiy : A Song of Spring . Xbw Ready , A Title , Contents . Index , and Preface to the First Volume The Numbers and Parts of the lint Series of the Jfational Instructor that were out of print , have now % tsa reprinted , and may be had on application . Subscribers are requested to complete imperfect copies forthwith . The " National Instructor " is supplied by oH the Jandon Agents for similar publications : or by A . Heywood , Manchester ; W . Lore , and 6 . Adams , Glasgow ; Robinson and Co ., Edinburgh ; J . Sweet , J fottmgham ; J . Gnest , Birmingham .
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On Honda ; , March 24 th , will be published , IN NOS . AT ONE PENNY EACH , THE EMIGRANTS GUIDE TO THE SOLQEN LAND . CALIF ORNIA , ITS PAST HISTORY ; ITS PRESENT POSITION ; ITS FUTOttE PROSPECTS : XTm A MINUTE tSD JkCTHESTIC ACCOUNT OF THE DISCOVERT OP THE GOLD RE 6 I 0 S , ¦ - • ASD THE SUBSEQUENT IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS . In the course of the work will be giren fLiffl DIRECTIONS TO EMIGRANTS CALIFORNIA , OR THE UNITED STATES , OB , TO CANADA ; AUSTRALIA ; NEW ZEALAND , OS AST OTHEK BRITISH SETTLEMENT . SHEWIKG THEM tiHEN TO GO . WHEREJO GO . HOW TO GO . No . 1 , and No . 3 , will be Illustrated with RICHLY COLOURED ENGRAVINGS . And numerous Engravings , all executed in the most finished itjle , will illustrate subsequent Sumbers . S . T . COLLINS . , FLEET STREET , ASD Att BOOKSELLEES .
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LECTURES BY ERNEST JONES . riANTERBXJRT versus ROME , \ J The reprint of these lectures is now complete , in five separate numbers ( price twopence each . ) or in one Volume , bound , with coloured wrappers , priceone shilling . Published by Edwin Diffle , 42 , Uolvwell-street , Strand , Iiondon . In a few day will appear POEMS AND NOTES to the PEOPLE , BT EEMEST JONES . ( Composed while in prison . ) Za weekly nnmbexs , ( price 2 i , of twenty-fonr pages each part , in double columns , and got up in superior style . Contents of Xa 1 . "Toe Sew Wohld , a political poem , stunting the people ' s past sufferings and future bopes . Kotes to the 1 ' EOPiE , concerning their present duty . The Histoki of a Democratic Hovehem , its rise , progress , tollies , and probable results . Contents of No . 2 . Beldacos Church , notes on all the Beldagons , and con . tinuations of the above . - ' Full particulars will be giv 6 n next week—with directions as to where all orders are to be forwarded .
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KATIOXAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Office , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand , fTHE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE L herebyannounce the following meetings : — On Sunday evening nest at the Rock T&vern , Lisson grove—Princess Koyal , Circus-street , Marylebone—Bricklayers' Arms , Tonbridge-street , New-road—Crown aud Anchor , Cheshire-street , WaierlooTown—and New Eastern Xaterary and Scientific Institution , Jlorpeth-street , Green-Street , Bethnal Green . At the same time the Lambeth locality will meet at the South London Hull , and Mr . Pattinson , the sob-secretary , « OI be in attendance to enrol members . On the same evening at the Ulsing Son , Calendar-yard , long-alley , Mr . John Fussett will lecture . On the same evening , at the Ship , High-street , Whitethapel , Mr . Elliott will lecture .
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XEEDS DISTRICT DELEGATE MEETING TEE ADJOURNED DELEGATE MEETING will ba held to-morrow ( Sunday , March 23 rd ) meming , at half-past ten o ' clock , in the Bazaar , Leeds , to take into consideration the propriety of sending a Delegate to the London Conference , on the 31 st of March . As the present time is a nsost important one , and immediate measures should at « nee be taken to unite the Chartist oody , it is-eamestly requested th . ; t Delegates will be sent arom . the allowing places comprising the district , viz .- — Zeeds , Pudsey , Dewsburv , Batler , BiretaU , and Wakefield
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TO TAILORS AND OTHERS . EXHIBITION , 185 L . Ms Apf&batim offfir Mxjaty Qma Victoria , md JI . R . H , Prince Albert . THE LONDON and PARIS SPRING and SUMMEB FASHIONS for 185 L by Messr . SE . VJAMIS 3 EAD & Co ., 13 , Hart-streetT BtoomsburK « guare , Lonion : and bj CEOBGE JBERGEE , Hoiyweu-« reet , Strand , will be ready « ariy in March . The View m tne Grand Bcilding in Hjde-park for the ensuin * Exhiwao'V is execctsd with extraordinary skill , andTwill be «*«»; toanyOaog of the kind erer published , producing aadifeSauh ? 0 Btea " d ^ ent nations , without any panied ^ t& - P « ? lendid PRLVT will be aecom-BMinglmd fe ^ . T " ^{^^ d Patterns , Dress , Jacket Also the \ £ f ^ ^ S * <» Fashionable ?<¦«" tntion Riding Coat ^ f ^^ Wonable Registered Exhievery inSation fiMf traU ? ^ Pa ^ ulars , and Ota desant newlLBEfel . "J MaHng ^ p the « nole . * Co ... « i of January Iki ^ S Coat , "filtered by Head « nl j ; all others are Habfc ' fe- ^ "ffit of Subsiriberg ^ nliufomatwnas usual lfc . ^ 3 * ^ 5 " the Patterns 7 s ., post free , onaroller' SoldW **^ " ^ Talone , street . Bloo msbnry-square , iS , ? W B <*»» H . Hart ! flsj * - ? 53 ^* Ms ^ ° a ^ % ares , 4 < , . . rol ^ orde ^ TSaR ??* * - to any amount taken as cash " ^"""^ ost-stamps ^ SsfeSFsa j .- —4 u . ^ s ^ ssses . N . B . ~ Foremen provided .
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HormcHASL-Mr . J . Sweet ludawwkaees the receipt < rf ; the following sums , sent herewith , * fc . :- * oa Hokhsts Fusn .-Mr . W . Brown 6 d-From HucknaU Torkardfis . Foa Wisdiscto FosD .- Mr . - ^^ Perkins , OM Basford Branch 6 u—Mr . W . Brown 6 d-Mrs . Mary Osborne 2 s Cd—Mr . rvgott 6 d . , .. . . The Poubh ASD Hcsgabu-v K ^ em . -T . Brown s List . -Masons , Sew House * of Parliament , £ 2 13 s ^ -aty Arms . Worcester , Raffle , per . Mr . - ^ re * - * » - Bolton , Coppice-row 7 s Cd- SmiUi ' s Workmen 3 s ad-Mr Ferries , Carpenter 3 s-E . Wood ls-J . Hart ls-Sirl 2 s Ud-W . Gees 2 s Bd-Maper ls-Welchman Gd-Swifcis 6 d-J . Coles 7 s 6 d _ J . Elder 2 s 6 d-Watk . su 12 s-Three * Republic" Tailors Is 6 d -. Dumbarton ls .-Any mistake in the Money List , application to be made The Polish and Hosgabus Refugees . — T . Brown ' s LUt . —Sharwood ' s Tjpe Founders 3 s 8 d—A Friend Is—Mr . Ferriss , for Carpenters 6 s lid—Mr . Hope 6 d—Mr . Cockrey ' s shop 4 s 7 d—Smith ' s Workmen 8 s 2 d—Bark-2 Welchman 6 d <
ham In—Mr . Smith collected s— —Mr . Campbell , Victoria-park 5 s 10 M-A Friend 6 d-Three Friends from the Country 2 s—Fimlico , Goat Tavern , Mr . Blauchard 10 s—Several Buot-makers , Golden Lion , Fore-street , City . 9 s 3 d—Mr . Sturgeon 2 s—Mr . Seville's Book 2 s 5 d—Fountain , Amwell-street 12 s 6 d—Cantf erwell , l \ S . 2 s—J . Hagg rston —Mr . Arnott 12 s 3 d—Mr . Arnott 9 s 3 d—A Friend Is . WoBctsTER . —The democrats of the counties of Worcester and Gloucester are requested to communicate with the council of the Worcester Association respecting a delegate to the National Convention ; also to remit all monies collected for f uch purpose , addressed to Mr . James Harding , City Arms , Worcester , treasurer te the branch . —CHiEtES Aprs , Secretary . Title Page and Index to the ' National Instbuctoe . ' — Several correspondents complain of not being able to procure this sheet , and say the publishers state it is not pu lished . The statement is entirely without foundation . By enclosing two Postage-stamps to this office it may be had direct , if it cannot be procured in any other way . Lockwood
S . , 1 'lymouth . —Write to Mr , David Green , bookseller , Briggate , Letds . A Correspondent suggests that a cheap democratic magazine , embellished with wood-cuts , for children , ' is much wanted in country districts . He also would like to see the London democrats using phonograph y , as a means of teaching the refugees the English language , which he says would lay the foundation of an universal language . ' Eekatdh—In our answer to Mr . Mantle , of Manchester , last week , owing to a blunder of the compositors , some copies were struck off , in which the word ' mere' was substituted for' the » e , ' and ' like for take . ' It should have read thus : — ' Our correspondent is aware of the rule we have laid down for the exclusion of personal abuse , or attacks upon the character and motives of persons who take an active part in the movement , and whether these attacks take the shape of letters to the Editor , reports of speeches , or resolutions , purpsrting to be adopted by Chartist Councils , or Chartist localities , we shall continue rigorously to subject them to what our correspon . dent terms' censorship . '' A . Waltos . —Next week .
The Northern Star Saturday, March 22, 1851.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , MARCH 22 , 1851 .
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WHO LEAD THE MILLIONS ? Speaking of Mr . Cobden , the Times says , in a recent leading article : — With the ' masses'to which he now appeals he has no sympathy whatever . The millions are never led by a political economist In such quarters Mr . Cobden would be beaten outright by Mr . Feargus O'Connor , and Lord John ilanaers . would probably drive them both out from the field .
We presume the superiority of Lord J . Manners would consist in his being even more heretical in his politico-economical opinions than Mr . O'Connor , and , therefore , more acceptable to " the masses , " who are utter infidels to what Thomas Carlyle calls " the shabbiest gospel ever preached . " Now , one of the most important questions that can possibly be raised , is suggested by this passage . Why is it that there should be such a discrepancy between the opinions . " of
the middle classes , the industrious and intelligent tradesmen , " from whom , according to the Times , Mr . Cobden ' s " supporters are taken V There must be some cause or other why the proletarian " masses , " &nd the classes who live by profits , take such opposite views of questions that lie at the very foundation of society . These differences alienate class from class—produce fear on the one hand , and revengeful feelings on the other , and breed those social revolutions which it is the first duty of a wise aad good Government to prevent .
The cause is not difficult to discover . It is to be found in the necessarily opposing views which these parties take of society from the differing positions in which society has placed them . It is easy to understand how the man engaged in trade , manufactures , and commerce , and pursuing a prosperous career—with the ultimate probability of realising a competence , which will enable him to pass the evening of his days in comfort , surrounded by a family " well to do in the world "—should have a widely different opinion of existing institutions to that entertained by the working man
, whose whole life is one of continual toil , repaid by the barest subsistence , and whose onl y future prospect is the refuge of the workhouse , when premature old age prevents him from toiling longer , while his children are doomed to the same melancholy fate , or worse—sink into the confirmed pauper and criminal classes . To the " masses " who are placed in the latter position the political economists offer no hope of redemption . Their fine-spun generalities about self-control , prudence , industry , thrift , and so forth , as a means of rising in the world , are the merest shams . The
few . who de rise from , the labouring masses , do so only to become identified with the classes who live by usury , rents , and profits . They do not diminish , but add , to the burdens of those whose labour has to sustain the whole superincumbent weight of the social edifice . More—every addition to the number of competitors in the commercinl classes increases' that pressure . In order to command trade , they run a suicidal race of competitive cheapness , and indemnify themselves by reducing wages . Hence the
continual industrial insurrections , which make their appearance in every part of the country , and in every section of industry . Hence the last and worst exhibitions of this constant aggression of the capitalist , to be found in the cellars and garrets of the slop workers of almost every trade . The interests of capital and labour , under our present arrangements , instead of being identical are antagonistic . Nor does political economy hold out any practical measure for reconciling them . So far from that , all its tendencies are to increase
existing evils , and to exacerbate the" hostile feelings generated by this mal-arrangement of the primary elements of society . Now , the reason we presume wh y Mr . O'Connor and Lord J . Maitjjebs are more popular with " the millions " than Mr . Cobben and the economists , is , that they propose , whether rightly or wrongly , certain plans by which men are recognised as men , not looked opon as mere cogs in the wheels of a vast machinery for turning out wealth , to be
enjoyed by those who are strong or cunning eneagh to carry off the lioa ' s share . One of the greatest blessings to the labouring classes , in the opinion of some eminent economists , is , that they should become totall y dependent on wages , inasmuch as they are thereby converted into skilled , regular woricmen , and the inductrial system works smoothly . A mixed system of independent exertion , and hired labour—ar personal iadustry-lcarried on wi& a view to ihe direct
maintenance of the individual by his own exertione , is deprecated by such philosophers as a great social evil . Mr . O'Connor , < on the other hand , would prefer to see every man in possession of an independent labour-field % and as far as we understand Lord X Manners , he , too , is anxious that the poorest man shoald possess his plot of ground , and be elevated and strengthened by the conviction that he has a proprietary stake in the public hedge .
ouch proposals may not cohere very well with the symmetrical developemen t of our gigantic manufacturing and commercial system ; but that is no reason wh y they should not be entertained , and—where practicableadopted . The testimony of eminent writers and careful observers , like Sismokdi , Laing , S-at , Ihghs , Symons , and a host of others , who have devoted attention to this subject , proves that the diffusion of property among ine mass of the community , is always coinci-« Tfo ? * "leased amount of physical banr ^ n n « ° f high moral 4 uaIities * H m a products « a economical point of view ,
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Hho Bum total of the agricultural : weaULftro' 3 uced . by r ttie small proprietary system , is superior to that' resulting from large fanning . We cpuld : adduce ' numerous proofs of the truth of this statement ' . ' But one is so triumphant and conclusive a demonstration , that it is unnecessary to cite more . . The island of Guernsey contains twenty-four statute square miles , and 15 , 360 statute acres of land . At the last census it ; had a population of 24 , 349 persons , or above 1 , 000 to the square mile . We shall nbt , perhaps , overrate its present amount , if we take it at 1 , 200 to the square
mile . Previous to the famine in Ireland arid ' the thinning of the country by evictions starvation , disease , pestilence , and emigration , the number of persons in '' overpopulated '' Ireland was only 223 to the square mile , oir a difference on the same surface of more than five to one . But this is not all . These twenty-five or twenty-six thousand persons on a small island , not the size of the estates of some of our smaller squires , contrive , not only to exist by means of their 1 &-bour , but to exist in a degree of comfort unknown to the peasantry , not only of Ireland ,
but of many of our agricultural counties in England . Even the poorest in Guernsey eat daily wholesome bread , and they import largely fat oxen and sheep—for which they pay , by an exportation of native cows , pigs , and potatoes . Almost every Guernsey man has a comfortable home to live in , a clean bed to sleep upon , and abundance of warm and decent clothing . There is comparatively no want , no beggary ; a wandering mendicant is not to be seen in town or country , as the native poor are amply provided for ; If many
estates , of 15 , 000 acres , in southern English counties , had as many huudred inhabitants as Guernsey has thousands , the proprietor would be thinking of means of cutting down the redundant population . The cottages would be suffered to fall into ruins , and the erection of new ones be Btrictly forbidden . The labourers would be forced to reside in distant " open parishes , " in order to deprive them of a claim to parochial relief , and each winter would witness its annual consignment of pauper slavery to the union workhouse . Such is the actual
working of our large proprietory system , m many instances within our own knowledge . ' Let us contrast it with the account which Mr . Frederick Hill , the intelligent Government Inspector of Prisons in Scotland , tells us of Guernsey : — ¦ The happiest community which it has ever been my lot to fall in with , is to be found in the little island of Guernsey , The pictures of want , filth , and crime , which so frequently shock tho eye of humanity in our own country , and which appear to a still greater extent in Ireland , and in many parts of France , are . not to be met with , but , in their stead , are to be seen the happy sign of abundance , comfort , and contentment The poor man has his neat little house , is surrounded by his cheerful family , and is under no apprehension that he shall not be able , with
moderate labour , to provide a full meal and a comfortable lodging for all who are dependent upon him : What are the causes of this superior state of things in Guernsey ? Why is it that , within so short a distance of places where the pining labourer is but halt' fed and half clad , the man of Guernsey should have a well stored board aud abundance of clothing ? The climate is not peculiar—the laud is not remarkablj fertile . The southern parts of England are quite equal to Guernsey in both these particulars . How is it then , that Guernsey should - be so much ahead in the career of happiness { Guernsey hat superior laws—superior institutions . And the state of tilings in Guernsey is one among the thousand proofs that have been given , that the prosperity and happiness of a people are made more de . pendent on its laws , institutions , and themunnerin which its government is carried oh , than on climate and fertility of the soil '
Such is the state of things that Mr . O'Connor wishes to see supersede our present misery-creating institutions . In order to the attainment of that object , he seeks in the first instance to secure the right of self-government to the whole people , in the belief that " superior laws and superior institutions" would follow as a necessary consequence . In the estimation of the Times , and the organs of the bourgeoisie , Mr . O'Connor may be very wrong for believing in the practicability and tho necessity of such changes . "The millions" may show great ignorance and credulity in following such a leader , instead of " a political economist , " but all we can say is , that the faith of the one is justified by
facts , and the confidence o £ the other by ho means unnatural , when the prospects offered by Mr . O'Connor and the political economists to the labouring " masses , " are contrasted with each other . Certainl y Free Trade and unrestrained Competition , in con-, junction with Mammoth mills , and whole counties in the hands of one proprietor , have not succeeded in producing such comfort as small estates and high culture , by persons having a proprietory interest in tho soil , has done in Guernsey , and does everywhere when it has a fair trial . The appeal to facts is against the " economists . " We need not say why the appeal to the natural instincts of humanity s bould be so also .
If we had a People ' s Parliament , these questions would not be discussed from the eclusive point of view they now are . The - presentatives o ! what we may term e natural , as well as the associative , schools of social science , would have a chance of being heard also . At present they are dumb in Parliament , and almost unheard of in the Press ; yet , despite of this exclusion from the use of the most potent instruments for the creation of public opinion , such is the ready response which their doctriues find in the hearts of the unvitiated masses , that they cling . to the ^ advocates of a more just and humane system of Bociety , despite of calumny , ridicule , aud misrepresentation .
It is not to be concealed that Parliamentary Reform would be but the avant courier of Social Reforms , but these latter would be graduall y introduced in accordance with the gradual growth of public opinion . They would be carried into effect by the constitutional machinery of the nation with the least possible displacement of existing interests . They would naturall y include all classes of society in the range of their immediate and prospective benefits , and they would at once greatly dimmish
, and finall y extinguish the portentous and deplorable class antagonism which now exists . The Chartist and Social Reformers are , therefore , the truest Conservatives . Those who endeavour to prop up a system founded upon injustice , and productive of grievous oppression and misery , are alone responsible for the volcanic explosions of revolutionary violence , which are the natural reaction in such cases , and which bury in undistinguishable and indiscriminate ruin , alike the good and the evil . a
Enlargeieht Of The National Irstrugtob.
ENLARGEIEHT OF THE NATIONAL IRSTRUGTOB .
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THE UNTAXliD PRESS OF AMERICA . Atfhe recent meeting against the " Taxes on Knowledge , " at St . Martin ' s Hall , a gentleman-exhibited a large and well-printed New York newspaper , the price of which was only one pewy ! On . the following day the great apostle ana representative of the newspaper monopoly took up the cudgels on behalf of the iugh-pneed British article , and decried , with m ight and main , the literary , political , and moral quahtiesof the American press . The ; ' Tames" set fcufch , with special emphasis , , the immense expense it incurs in procuring intelligence from aJl . quarters of the world—tfee
ouuay necessary for &H reports of all P ubMc p roceediags-pariiameatary , iqgal , and miscellaneous ; the liberal salaries -required by tbe superior writers engaged in ± he literary , political , and commercial departments , and a host of other items , with the view of persuading the reader that a good article emmoi be got at a lower price . We confess ouiselvoa so stupid as not to see the collusiveness of the argument deduced from the facts . It appears , to us that if the » Times ! ' had not to pay a duty of three-half pence for every pound of paper i consumes-ifit had not to pay aonenennv
stamp on every hrst sheet , and one halfpenny on every supplemental sheet it issues , that it would have more money . left for foreign correspondents , telegraphic despatches , talented writers , parliamentary and law reporter * and
all the other classes who live by contributing to the omnivirous , columns of the dail y newspaper . The amount paid to the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not of itself augment but diminish the sum at the disposal of the newspaper proprietor , either as capital to be employed in the improvement : and extension of his property , or as fair and legitimate profit on his investment ,, risk , and labour . The compensation in . the case of the " Times " really consists in keeping out of the market any competitor , and giving it avirtnal monopoly , by means of which it accumulates
enormous . profits , ; and . secures , at the same time , an influence both at home and abroad , which it neither deserves by its political consistency and integrity nor the veracity of its intelligence , from foreign countries especially . But it is not necessary to argue the question in the abstract . We turn to our last file of American papers now lying on our table . The " New York Tribune , " dated the 2 Gth of February , for Europe , is a paper of the same shape , and nearly the size of the " Northern Star . " Taking into account the large proportion of small type in which it is
printed , we should say it contains quite as much matter as an ordinary number of this journal . Its price is " six cents "—equivalent to . three-halfpence of our money . As to its contents , they are of the most varied , and , in many instances , most interesting and important description . It is true , as the " Times " remarks , that the debates in Congress are not reported at the length proceedings in Parliament are reported with us , or , in fact , reported at all in the sense we use the word . But that , so far from being a drawback , will perhaps be a recommendation . How many thousands are
there who , inouv own country , content themselves with a glance over " the summary'' of our . morning papers , and would think it little less than madness to dream of wading through the close-packed , formidable , and interminable colimns of a " heavy night" in Parliament ? I p'all other respects , the " New . York Tribune" shows , in every column , evidence of a large and liberal outlay . Telegraphic expresses , from almost every quarter of the vast continent , attest the activity of its agents . From every point of the compass , correspondence of the most varied character pour in from
recognised contributors . Among these we recognise the names of persons of established reputation , not only for talent , but the most exalted patriotism and philanthropy . Jules Le Chevalier is the regular correspondent from this country . H . Doherty used to fill that situation in France . The Italian and German correspondence is exceedingl y well-written , and the Princess Belgriso , who took so prominent and so noble a part in
the war for Italian Independence , contributes admirable and graphic letters from Turkey .. Mr . Greeley , the proprietor and editor , is not only an able , but a liberal writer—far , very far in advance of most writers in our newspapers of equal standing and influence . To see such articles as he writes On the Labour Question in one of our leading journals , would make gome people think the world had come to an end . The reviews of new books are well done—the lead
mg articles , if not quite up to our notions in point of style , are , we think , far sounder in principle , and certainly animated by a far nobler and more philanthropic spirit . The defects of the " Tribune , " such as they appear to us , are evidentl y the natural growth of American society , and the state of opinion among the people for whom the paper is published . We need not imitate these defectsnay , we could not . A free and unrestricted Press must , in all cases , naturally reflect the predominant characteristics of popular opinion and national character . - .
But here is a still greater wonder in its way , though not , we think , to be compared to " The Tribune" in point of talent , directness of purpose , or breadth of view . The weekly "New York Sun " contains thirty-two very long columns of closely printed matter , embracing literature and news from all parts of the world , and not a small number of advertisements . It is sold for one penny ! Tho " Daily Sun'' sells for one halfpenny ! For one dollar a year—four shillings and twopence of our money—the postman will weekly stop at the door of the mechanic , in towns and cities
hundreds or thousands of miles from Now York , with his paper . The lone settler in forest or prairie , by its means , for the same price , can be weekly brought into communication with the whirl and stir of active life . His fireside need not stagnate into the ignorant swamp , or become the helpless vacuity , which are the characteristics of too many of the cottages of our own peasantry . Nor does it . The enterprise and activity which impels tho population
of the States forward ; the vigour with which they address themselves to the mighty task of subduing , populating , . and fertilising the immense Continent , of which they are destined to be the sole masters , are the best proofs of the efficiency of a free , and unfettered , and cheap Press . We do not speak of the political effects . On that point there inay be differences of opinion , and on this occasion it is not needful to discuss them ; but here the results are obvious and undeniable .
Even-in an industrial and economical view the advantages conferred by the absence of Taxes on Knowled ge are power fulreasons why they should be abolished in this country , where new outlets for capital and new sources of employment are so greatly needed . We will not speak of the increased labour that would be required by an extension and increase of paper mills , and the application of that material to uew and varied purposes . But as a striking , practical illustration of the manner in which a Free Press calls talent and labour into
requsition , and hel ps to circulate money , we shall condense from the "New York Sun " some facts connected with the establishment for printing these half-penny daily , and penny weekly , newspapers . . . The number for the 5 th of February , contains an account of the first exhibition of the " Sun Monster Press" or machine , constructed by Colonel Richard M . Hoe , and of acomplhnentary dinnergivento him by the proprietors afterwards , at Aster House . From that account we gather that this gigantic machine has eight cylinders , and can be run
at various rates of speed , so as to throw off from 12 , 000 to 20 , 000 copies anhour . This beats the last and largest machine of the " Times " constructed by Messrs . Applegarth & Co . by , we believe , at least 8 , 000 copies an hour ! It is only one of the machines sot in motion by a steam-engine of twenty horse power , to turn out fifty thousand reams of printed paper yearly . The cost of this amount of paper without duty ) is ] 50 , 000 dollars , or £ 30 , 000 . The machine b y which twenty thousand sheets are printed in an hour , cost 20 , 000 dollars , or £ 4 , 000 . The premises in which the
various operations are carried on , literary and industrial , are ei ght stories in height , with a frontage of one hundred and thirteen feet , one way , and sixty feet another . The type consumed yearly costs 10 , 000 dollars— £ 2 , 000 . Two hundred persons are engaged on the pre-. arises , whose salaries and wages amount to ia 0 , 000 dollars , ( £ 16 , 000 ) annuall y . Besides this , there are expenses for telegraphic despatches , correspondents and reporters , so tihat iho establishment gives support , directly atid indirectl y , . to upwards of five hundred fanrilias .
[ WejpJace these sjfcatisticg against thOBO bo ostentatiously paraded by the "Times . " They piwe that the fostering care of a virtual monopoly is not required to rear up and eustain g igantic newsp aper establishments , ' but that thi ^ ge . Qan be created . aud supported as well on . balance and pence , as the magic fivepence , ' neither more nor less , which the ?« Times" ' M&s e . s / sential to the-. existence of JournalismV
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Uritil ' we secure the abolition of the taxes which necessitate that high price , there can never W > working-man ' s newspaper in this country . With the best possible intentions / those who aspire to instruct him , to guide him , to struggle with , and for him , are constantly foiled . The Stamp-Office and the Excise have built up barriers which they cannot pass .
Above all , the idea of a daily journal in this country , devoted to the interests . of the industrial classes , and faithfully representing their sentiments and feelings on public questions is an impossibility , while the Chancellor of the Exchequer is allowed to continue a censorship—all the more disgraceful to our Government—because it is concealed in the guise of fiscal impositions . ' . '
Let our readers contrast their condition with respect to the supply of mental aliment and political instruction , with that of the people in the United States , and then seo how much we are indebted to our kind and paternal Government for the care it takes to prevent their minds being poisoned , and their loyalty weakened by cheap newspapers . Politicians and Priests are two classes who
seem always to have . a great antipathy to knowledge . Where they have their own way it is entirely suppressed , because they instinctively feel their power is based on the ignorance and apathy of the masses . " They hate light , and love darkness , their deeds being evil . " What inference ought to be drawn by the people ? Why , that their first and most earnest efforts should be directed to let the light of knowledge in upon our land , and to make it irradiate tho darkest corners . Whatever may be the case iu privileged classes , the people , as a , whole , must gain by having everything done in tho full blaze of day .
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¦ PARLIAMENTARY . ' The standing dish of the week has been the Ministerial measure , with , reference to the new Papal Hierarchy . The Irish Members have shown a determined hostility to it ; with the exception of Mr . Goulbourn , all the old PeeliteB who have spoken on the question have been against Legislation in this casetaking their cue from Sir James Graham and Lord Aberdeen . The sons of the late Sir R . Peel take opposite sides . The successor
to the name and title of the late Statesman , in a maiden speech of considerable ability ! avowed himself an enemy to the grasping and insidious policy of the Roman Court , and " gave considerable force to that avowal , by declaring that , he had come to that conclusion , after a calm and quiet observation of the actual working of the Roman Catholic system on the Continent , while engaged iu the performance of the diplomatic functions , from which the melanchol y and untimely death of his father
recalled him . Mr . Frederick Peel , expressly trained by his father for a Parliamentary life , follows Sir J . Graham , who , since the demise of the late Sir Robert , appears to be looked up to as the " guide , philosopher , and friend " of the Third Party . This is , we fear , only one instance of the effect this irritating and vexatious question will have in producing divisions , not only among great public parties , but among members of the same household , and those who are bound together by ties of family and friendship .
Mr . Baillie defeated tae new dodge of Lord John ' s with great promptitude and judgment . The Premier took advantage on a motion of censure on the Government policy in Ceylon , being placed on the books , to announce that until that was decided upon he would withhold the Budget and all other important Government business . Now , this vote of censure has been hanging over the heads of the Ministry for the last three years . It was , and is , the only fitting termination to
the extraordinary and protracted investigation into Lord Torrington ' s administration by a parliamentary committee , aqd come when it may , the decision should be a judicial one on the merits of the case , not based upon party exigencies , or decided by the impure and prejudiced motives of party hacks . ' That the delay was a mere pretext for the purpose of getting up a sbw of temporary strength , and fabricating " political capital , " now greatly needed by the bankrupt Ministry , is evident , from the fact that at the close of last session
Mr . Hume put a similar motion on the notice book . There it has stood ever since the 4 th of February , and yet the virtuous indignation —the high-toned sensitiveness Which leads Lord John and his pet governor to wince , at the idea of a single day being allowed to intervene unnecesssarily between the announcement of a vote of censure and its
decision , has never before manifested itself . It looks dreadfully suspicious , this new-born chivalry . If Lord John had demanded of Mr . Hume , on the first day of the session , that his motion should be brought forward forthwith , we could have given him credit for sincerity , but , as it is , in the emphatic monosyllable of Mr . BunciiELL , we crv "Fudge ! " J
The member for Inverness-shire seems to have been of the same opinion , - for he very wisely determined not to be the scape-goat of the noble lord , and by withdrawing his motion in the meantime , has placed his lordship and his wooden Chancellor of the Exchequer in such a position , that they must , perforce , try their hands once more at a Budget . What new monstrosity next week may give birth to , it is impossible to say , or even to imagine ! But this is certain , that it will be essentially a mere make-shift- ajtemporary provision for the exigencies of the year , and when it is disposed of the Parliament and the Ministry will come to an end together .
The bill of Mr . BAiNEsfor protecting parish apprentices and servants from the brutality of their employers , has progressed a stage , and the hypocritical and pharasaical measure for preventing Sunday Trading in the Metropolis has been read a second time , for the burpose of being referred to a Select Committee , where , we hope , it will be rendered innocuous . If not , the friends of social freedom must bestir themselves to ensure its final rejection by Parliament , as a gross , unwarrantable , and most injurious interference with the » ir terests of a numerous and struggling class of the community , as well as a means of depriving many of the working classes of the few
conveniences and comforts afforded by the present system . . . v In the Upper House , there has been some talk of law reforms in various branches , and bills have been introduced b y Lord BROUGHAM and Lord Campbell . Of course with the present nckett y Government , and unsettled state of Parliamentary parties , they will begin and end their career in that House this year A grand party display is promised , however , by he announcement of Lord Torrington thS it his intention to forestall Mr . Baiuie hi submitting his conductas Governor of Sfi to the judgment of his peers . This will no sSn be 0 De ° ^^
, „ ... , HOME NEWS . the ParS 7 " ° ** * ° SCatteml meetl ' S mLi P ! Agg re 8 BlOn 1 uestio « the public ( he i £ 5 ?« " Characte « ^ throughout , ™ - of ««» recenfc Ministerial Crisis The connects between the people and their socalled ^ representatives fiGC ms to be of the slenderest kind-sympath y between the m is at zero . _ lhe ultra-Protectionist party seem determined to make a vigorous attempt for a stringent bill against the invasion of Dr Wiseman . A meeting at Southwark , on Wednesday night , was signalised by extremely strong language , and great excitement on the part of the audience . One reverend gentleman denounced the Roman Catholic re-
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ligion as a conspiracy against life and libertr and demanded such ' , a measure as no T « .. -1 could evade ; and . if Cardinal WiSEM J " *} his co-conspiratbrs broke it , the onl ypunX ment should be to Bend them out of tho c try . All this is ominous of increased hX ness on this question . "Hier-The dangers to which our industrial nrm ,, lation are continually subject in tho pvoVeS hon of their labour , have been denW w * illustrated this week b y a series of rbl y accidents—the two most prominent beinS " of the colliery in Scotland , ¦ and ttoSft Stockport . In the first case sixty ™ e 2 at perished ; . in the second , nineteenTT five badly wounded . No coroSrJ ^ being held in Scotiand , the roS % ™* g the cause of so large a sacrifice of 1 ifeS never be > ascertained ; and from the fre 12 oi aucmenis
or tins Kind , it would seem 1-tu ' that Sir G . Gbh - s bill of lastSn ist ? fective or that the coal-masters have , 2 bmed to prevent its operation . A tWo ^" the construction of the boiler at Stocknnrf * said to have caused the lamentable \ Zt 3 life and property there . dste oE Premzer with the usuaU ^ r : 2 sy b C dismissed , as usual , as v , ise Vith £ L ? £ Ministerial intentions as when thev I * 2 his presence . Whig Ministers seenv vV y Sh disposed to make deputations look as faS as all other kinds of public business with wS they are connected . u
In Ireland , the pro-Catholic agitation gains strength , and an idea of the power of the priesthood may be gathered from the fac t that the appeal of Primate Cullen , On behalf of a JRoman Catholic University jg likely to bo answered by a subscription of £ 20 , 000 . Pretty well for pauperised Ire land ! The difficult legal question having { , een solved , as to whether criminals , having been
acquitted on a charge of murder , are , by law amenable to a charge of assault , the Birds have at length received the very severe sentence of sixteen months' imprisonment . Their punishment , however , will be more in pocket than in person . The lawyers have , no doubt reaped a good harvest , but as all the cor n has been extracted , chaff would not procure a wit of error . Their sentence will date from August—the time of their ' con viction—and affidavits for a mitigation of their punishment have been forwardedto the Secretary of State Gibbs has been *
tried for poisoning her fei low-servant and her mistress , at Laugharne " and acquitted of both charges . Although she had confessed her guilt , it was contended that the arsenic procured by Mr . Severne , and placed in the store-room where the chest of oatmeal was also kept , might have fallen into the chest when the oatmeal was low . That this oatmeal might then have been vised to make gruel for Mrs . Severne ; that then the chest might have been refilled ; but , when used down to tho impregnated oatmeal in two months , the remaining portion of arsenic was again taken up , being mixed with the oatmeal
used to thicken the gruel . The oatmeal however , that remained in the chest had been used by the famil y after the . servant ' s death , without any injurious consequences . Looking at the evidence , we have no moral doubt as to the guilt of the prisoner ; but juries will not convict in cases where the punishment Is irrevocable , if a doubt exists . Like Sarah Chesham , she is again lot loose on society but we ho pe that , unlike this doomed culprit ' another murder may not lead to her strangulation . °
FOREIGN AND COLONIAL . Matters wear their usual aspect in France . The various parties plot and counter-plot ia view of the Presidential election in 1852 , but however hostile to each other the dominant factions may be , all of them take care to keep a tight rein upon the people . The proscription of free opinion in the press its more ri gorous than at any former time , even in France . M . bESTlN , the conductor of the Debats , has been
fined for inserting a letter in that journal , signed b y a subscriber , but not giving the personal signature of the writer . That so cautious and conservative a paper as thiB should be caught m the meshes of the net devised to catch and silence the French Press , is a proof of the ingenuity of those who framed the law , not less than the unsparing and relentlesB hostility of those in power to the great exponent of public opinion .
A pamphlet containing the speeches delivered at the " Banquet of Equals , " at Hig h , bury Barn , on the occasion of celebrating tho anniversary of the Revolution of 1848 , having been printed for circulation in France , it has been seized , and penalties inflicted on the parties connected with its publication . By a series of prosecutions , followed by repeated and increasing fines and imprisonment , the authoriti
es have succeeded iu putting down the Vote Universel and other journals , belonging to the popular party . Hostility to freedom of speech , as well as to freedom of printing , has manifested itself in the removal of the celebrated AIichelet from his professor ' s chair in the Universit y of Paris . Michelet is one of the most powerful and popular exponents of the new ideas which have taken such deep root in France . He is at the same time tho
most determined and fearless opponent of despotism , both secular and ecclesiastical . To silence such a man , not only shows the animus o f the ruling powers , but it forebodes a terrible reaction and retribution when Iho measure of their tyranny is full . A question as to the election of the officers of the National Guard has revived the topic of TJimevsal Suffrage , under rather peculiar circumstances , According to the constitution of that body the officers are periodicall y elected by Universal buffra ge . The Assembly contends that the right of the National Guards is
controlled and limited by the same measure which mutilated the franchise of the nation . ine President and the Ministry , after pretending that they wished the voting to le universal , for the sake of cultivating a little factitious popularity , have given way to the reactionary party in the Chamber . From time to time rumours of a Parliamentary administration being formed , make the round ot the salons and the journals , and end in nothing . M . Bonaparte seems to rub on tolerabl y well with his extra parliamentary tools , or advisers , whichever the reader pleases to call them .
In Germany , the policy of Austria , which seemed so triumphant a few weeks ago , has received a decided check . The aggressive and threatening attitude assumed by Prince bCWHA RTZENBERG , not onl y towards Swiizer , ? ? i the whole of the 6 maller German otates , has been succeeded by an ostentatious mo deration of tone aud manner . " The grapes are sour . " Pruesia is regaining cou . rage , and the pliant Makteuitel is in disgrace . Other States are kicking against tlie oossack rule , to which they were bo nearly subjected ; and the Austrian tools of Russian policy , upon looking close at home , find that
open war in support of their aggressive designs , would onl y be the signal for tho commencement of a struggle in which Tcoples , as well as Princes ,. would take part . It is understood also that French aud British diplomacy have recovered from the syncope , in wmch they appear to have been for some time past , aud intimated to Austria the disapprohawon ot the Governments of these two countries , of the course it was pursuing . It was high time for both to show they were alive .
The last mail from the United States brings mile of pohtical importance . President Fii > more shows himself a keen supporter of the pro-s lavery policy , and is determind to . uphold S ? Fagl 5 , sl ^ eBill at all hazards . Mr . ^ eorge Thompson has met with rough usage ,
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4 THB NORTHJERK STAR . March ^ 1851 :.
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 22, 1851, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1618/page/4/
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